Tennis ace Kokkinakis has Alice 'connection'

The manager of Alice Springs Tennis says the 17-year-old wildcard who won his first Grand Slam match yesterday got his start in Alice Springs.

Matthew Roberts is enjoying the action at the Australian Open, in Melbourne, with 25 central Australian junior players.

He says Thanasi Kokkinakis made a big impression on the court.

"He got his big kick start in tennis at our Alice Springs Pro Tour two years ago," he said.

"He was virtually an unranked player and he had a great tournament and it just kickstarted his career.

"He's aware of that and he then came and thanked us personally on the court on the game afterwards, all our team, so he's well aware of the connection and yes to us it was just another victory for Alice Springs."